One missing, 500 displaced in Whatcom floodwaters; Ferndale asks evacuations near river

A man remained missing Tuesday, Nov. 16, after he was swept away by floodwaters in Everson and some 500 residents of rural northern Whatcom County fled their homes as three days of torrential rain sent the Nooksack River roaring over its banks at levels not seen in more than a generation. A voluntary evacuation order was issued at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday as flooding remained a threat downstream toward Ferndale and the low-lying Marietta community near the river delta.

It was the second major widespread flood event in less than two years as a similar storm hit in early 2020, and global climate change is fueling more powerful and frequent storms, Whatcom County officials told The Bellingham Herald. Southbound Interstate 5 opened early Tuesday south of Bellingham after an overnight closure, but the freeway remained blocked northbound at Nulle Road because of landslide debris.

Some 5.57 inches of rain fell from Saturday, Nov. 13, to Monday, Nov. 15. That’s more than the normal monthly total of 5.2 inches for November — Whatcom County’s wettest month, according to National Weather Service data. Daily rainfall records were set for both Sunday and Monday. Skies were expected to remain clear through Thursday, when light rain or showers are possible, according to the current forecast.